What makes it a treat:
Beer and ice cream may sound frightful, but making a soft-serve ice
cream with a dark ale malt extract is delightful. Chef/co-owner Tim
Rattray adds a mustard caramel and crushed hard pretzels. A grown-up
version of a childhood favorite.

What makes it a treat: Anybody who's ever had a funnel cake at a rodeo or Fiesta event knows just how good fried dough can be. Now, Maars lets you enjoy this embarrassingly good treat year around. Served in strips, similar to french fries, these funnel fries are topped with powdered sugar and can be served with strawberry topping or chocolate syrup, if desired.

What makes it a treat: Doubt the popularity of a Twinkie? When Hostess pulled the plug on the cream-filled cakes last year, cries of protest were heard 'round the world. Now picture that same classic Twinkie battered up, dropped in hot oil and deep-fried. The creamy interior gets even creamier and the outer cake gets a crispy crust; a generous sprinkling of powdered sugar adds the final touch.

What makes it a treat: In an interview with Chefs' Secrets columnist Pat Mozersky, Picnikins chef Cheryl Bezuidenhout, co-owner with husband André, calls their “so simple” Lemon Posset “kitchen magic — but the best kind.” Who are we to argue? This three-ingredient wonder is tangy and bright; thin, crisp ginger cookies set off the creamy British dessert.

What makes it a treat: Moroccan chef Khalid Said combined two of his favorite desserts: baklava and cheesecake. “It's our best seller,” he said. We have to admit we were a little skeptical at first, but we nearly licked the plate clean. Layers of pistachio and honey cheesecake filling are sandwiched between phyllo sheets. What's not to love?

What makes it a treat: It's breakfast for dessert. Sliced banana bread is toasted until it's slightly crunchy, and it's topped with cajeta, candied walnuts and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a nice contrast of hot and cold. The dessert is satisfying without being overly sweet.

Kheer at Rickshaw Stop food truck, 210-902-9308, follow it on Facebook and Twitter to find its various locations, www.rickshawstop-sa.com

What makes it a treat: Regular customers know they need to get in line early if there's any chance of snagging an order of the Pakistani rice pudding. It has a creamy consistency spiced with cardamom and rose water and topped with nuts. When it's gone, it's gone.

What makes it a treat: A childhood favorite gets a makeover with a house-made graham cracker, a house-made marshmallow fluff and a small bowl of melted chocolate for dipping. Campfires as a kid were never this good.